PROBLEM 3.

85
A force and a couple are applied to a beam. (a) Replace this system with
a single force F applied at point G, and determine the distance d.
(b) Solve part a assuming that the directions of the two 600-N forces are
reversed.

SOLUTION
(a)

Have ΣFy : FC + FD + FE = F

F = −800 N + 600 N − 600 N

F = −800 N or F = 800 N

Have ΣM G : FC ( d − 1.5 m ) − FD ( 2 m ) = 0

(800 N )( d − 1.5 m ) − ( 600 N )( 2 m ) = 0

1200 + 1200
d =
800
d = 3m or d = 3.00 m
(b)

Changing directions of the two 600 N forces only changes sign of the couple.
∴ F = −800 N or F = 800 N

and ΣM G : FC ( d − 1.5 m ) + FD ( 2 m ) = 0

(800 N )( d − 1.5 m ) + ( 600 N )( 2 m )

1200 − 1200
d = =0
800
or d = 0
 PROBLEM 3.86
Three cables attached to a disk exert on it the forces shown. (a) Replace
the three forces with an equivalent force-couple system at A.
(b) Determine the single force which is equivalent to the force-couple
system obtained in part a, and specify its point of application on a line
drawn through points A and D.

SOLUTION

(a) Have ΣF : FB + FC + FD = FA

Since FB = −FD

∴ FA = FC = 110 N 20°

or FA = 110.0 N 20.0°

Have ΣM A : − FBT ( r ) − FCT ( r ) + FDT ( r ) = M A

− (140 N ) sin15° ( 0.2 m ) − (110 N ) sin 25° ( 0.2 m ) + (140 N ) sin 45° ( 0.2 m ) = M A

M A = 3.2545 N ⋅ m

or M A = 3.25 N ⋅ m

(b) Have ΣF : FA = FE or FE = 110.0 N 20.0°

ΣM : M A = [ FE cos 20°] ( a )

∴ 3.2545 N ⋅ m = (110 N ) cos 20° ( a )

a = 0.031485 m

or a = 31.5 mm below A
 PROBLEM 3.87
While tapping a hole, a machinist applies the horizontal forces shown to
the handle of the tap wrench. Show that these forces are equivalent to a
single force, and specify, if possible, the point of application of the single
force on the handle.

SOLUTION

Since the forces at A and B are parallel, the force at B can be replaced with the sum of two forces with one of
the forces equal in magnitude to the force at A except with an opposite sense, resulting in a force-couple.

Have FB = 26.5 N + 2.5 N, where the 26.5 N force be part of the couple. Combining the two parallel forces,

M couple = ( 26.5 N ) ( 0.080 m + 0.070 m ) cos 25°

= 3.60 N ⋅ m

and, M couple = 3.60 N ⋅ m

A single equivalent force will be located in the negative z-direction.

Based on ΣMB : − 3.60 N ⋅ m = (2.5 N )cos 25°  ( a )

a = −1.590 m

F′ = ( 2.5 N )( cos 25°i + sin 25° j)

and is applied on an extension of handle BD

at a distance of 1.590 m to the right of B
 PROBLEM 3.88
A rectangular plate is acted upon by the force and couple shown. This
system is to be replaced with a single equivalent force. (a) For α = 40°,
specify the magnitude and the line of action of the equivalent force.
(b) Specify the value of α if the line of action of the equivalent force is
to intersect line CD 12 in. to the right of D.

SOLUTION
(a) Have ΣFx : − ( 3 lb ) sin 40° + ( 3 lb ) sin 40° = Fx

∴ Fx = 0

Have ΣFy : − ( 3 lb ) cos 40° − 10 lb + ( 3 lb ) cos 40° = Fy

∴ Fy = −10 lb

or F = 10.00 lb
Note: The two 3-lb forces form a couple
and ΣM A : rC/ A × PC + rB/ A × PB = rX / A × F

i j k i j k i j k
3 16 −10 0 + 160 1 0 0 = 10 d 0 0
sin 40° cos 40° 0 0 −1 0 0 −1 0

k : 3 (16 ) cos 40° − ( −10 ) 3sin 40° − 160 = −10d

36.770 + 19.2836 − 160 = −10d

∴ d = 10.3946 in.
or F = 10.00 lb at 10.39 in. right of A or at 5.61 in. left of B
(b) From part (a), F = 10.00 lb

Have ΣM A : rC/ A × PC + rB/ A × PB = (12 in.) i × F

i j k i j k i j k
3 16 −10 0 + 160 1 0 0 = 120 1 0 0
sin α cos α 0 0 −1 0 0 −1 0

k : 48cos α + 30sin α − 160 = −120

24cosα = 20 − 15sin α
PROBLEM 3.88 CONTINUED

Squaring both sides of the equation, and

using the identity cos 2 α = 1 − sin 2 α , results in

sin 2 α − 0.74906sin α − 0.21973 = 0

Using quadratic formula
sin α = 0.97453 sinα = − 0.22547

so that
α = 77.0° and α = −13.03°
 PROBLEM 3.89
A hexagonal plate is acted upon by the force P and the couple shown.
Determine the magnitude and the direction of the smallest force P for
which this system can be replaced with a single force at E.

SOLUTION
Since the minimum value of P acting at B is realized when Pmin is
perpendicular to a line connecting B and E, α = 30°

Then,

ΣM E : rB/E × Pmin + rD/ A × PD = 0

where

rB/E = − ( 0.30 m ) i +  2 ( 0.30 m ) cos 30° j

= − ( 0.30 m ) i + ( 0.51962 m ) j

rD/ A = 0.30 m + 2 ( 0.3 m ) sin 30°  i

= ( 0.60 m ) i

PD = ( 450 N ) j

Pmin = Pmin ( cos 30° ) i + ( sin 30° ) j

i j k i j k
∴ Pmin −0.30 0.51962 0 + 0.60 0 0 N ⋅ m = 0
0.86603 0.50 0 0 450 0

Pmin ( −0.15 m − 0.45 m ) k + ( 270 N ⋅ m ) k = 0

∴ Pmin = 450 N

or Pmin = 450 N 30°

 PROBLEM 3.90
An eccentric, compressive 270-lb force P is applied to the end of a
cantilever beam. Replace P with an equivalent force-couple system at G.

SOLUTION
Have

ΣF : − ( 270 lb ) i = F

∴ F = − ( 270 lb ) i

Also, have

ΣM G : rA/G × P = M

i j k
270 0 −4 −2.4 lb ⋅ in. = M
−1 0 0

∴ M = ( 270 lb ⋅ in.) ( −2.4 )( −1) j − ( −4 )( −1) k 

or M = ( 648 lb ⋅ in.) j − (1080 lb ⋅ in.) k

 PROBLEM 3.91
Two workers use blocks and tackles attached to the bottom of an I-beam
to lift a large cylindrical tank. Knowing that the tension in rope AB is
324 N, replace the force exerted at A by rope AB with an equivalent
force-couple system at E.

SOLUTION
Have ΣF : TAB = F

where

TAB = λ ABTAB

( 0.75 m ) i − ( 6.0 m ) j + ( 3.0 m ) k

= ( 324 N )
6.75 m

∴ TAB = 36 N ( i − 8j + 4k )

so that F = ( 36.0 N ) i − ( 288 N ) j + (144.0 N ) k

Have

ΣM E : rA/E × TAB = M

i j k
or ( 7.5 m )( 36 N ) 0 1 0 = M
1 −8 4

∴ M = ( 270 N ⋅ m )( 4i − k )

or M = (1080 N ⋅ m ) i − ( 270 N ⋅ m ) k
 PROBLEM 3.92
Two workers use blocks and tackles attached to the bottom of an I-beam
to lift a large cylindrical tank. Knowing that the tension in rope CD is
366 N, replace the force exerted at C by rope CD with an equivalent
force-couple system at O.

SOLUTION
Have ΣF : TCD = F

where

TCD = λ CDTCD

− ( 0.3 m ) i − ( 5.6 m ) j + ( 2.4 m ) k

= ( 366 N )
6.1 m

∴ TCD = ( 6.0 N )( −3i − 56 j + 24k )

so that F = − (18.00 N ) i − ( 336 N ) j + (144.0 N ) k

Have

ΣM O : rC/O × TCD = M

i j k
or ( 7.5 m )( 6 N ) 0 1 0 = M
−3 −56 24

∴ M = ( 45 N ⋅ m )( 24i + 3k )

or M = (1080 N ⋅ m ) i + (135.0 N ⋅ m ) k
 PROBLEM 3.93
To keep a door closed, a wooden stick is wedged between the floor and
the doorknob. The stick exerts at B a 45-lb force directed along line AB.
Replace that force with an equivalent force-couple system at C.

SOLUTION
Have

ΣF : PAB = FC

where

PAB = λ AB PAB

( 2.0 in.) i + ( 38 in.) j − ( 24 in.) k

= ( 45 lb )
44.989 in.

or FC = ( 2.00 lb ) i + ( 38.0 lb ) j − ( 24.0 lb ) k

Have

ΣM C : rB/C × PAB = M C

i j k
MC = 2 29.5 −33 0 lb ⋅ in.
1 19 −12

= ( 2 lb ⋅ in.) {( −33)( −12 ) i − ( 29.5 )( −12 ) j

+ ( 29.5 )(19 ) − ( −33)(1)  k }

or M C = ( 792 lb ⋅ in.) i + ( 708 lb ⋅ in.) j + (1187 lb ⋅ in.) k